TAAF (The Art & Aesthetics Foundation)

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce our organization The Art & Aesthetics Foundation (TAAF) India, which is dedicated to enhance the strength of our rich cultural heritage in the form of music, dance and innumerable traditional arts of India.

The aim of our organization is to empower and propagate the Indian art and its aesthetics not only in India, but in various parts of the world. Apart from the various beliefs including Ayurveda, the holistic approach of Yoga, the immense food cuisines, the clothing and many such areas, the most widespread of all has been the divine love for Indian Music & Dance.

Our Art Director

A renowned Kathak exponent, teacher and choreographer, Pooja Mani has participated in many National & International festivals such as the Edidburgh FringeFestival, Scotland and London, International Culture Meet at Guanzhou China, Festival of International Colors, Brazil and many others at Spain, Portugal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand, Singapore, Hongkong, Holland, Norway, Italy, Switzerland, France. She has also performed in various festivals under the guidance of many scholars and Gurus. Her dance troupe has been showcasing various productions for the last 15 years in multiple events in India and abroad. Few of these were the international Payung Festival in Bali, JNCC Culture Event at Moscow, Russia etc which were immensely appreciated.

Pooja trained at the the Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, under renowned Guru Smt. Urmila Nagar and also qualified as a Yoga instructor from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan. She has undertaken various assignments as dance therapist through movement therapy.

Pooja is credited with a number of solo performances organised by Kathak Kendra, Sangeet Ganga, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Khajuraho Festival and other organizing institutions throughout India.

TAAF Coordinator, Bali

Pooja Bhatnagar, internationally renowned Kathak artist and disciple of Smt Geetanjali Lal and Shri Rajendra Gangani, began her training in Kathak dance at an early age of 6. A proficient and highly dynamic solo artist, Pooja has performed traditional Kathak solos to great acclaim in dance festivals in India, Japan, New Zealand and throughout Indonesia. Apart from a dancer she is also a Certified Yoga Acharya from Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center. Her performances are marked for her technical virtuosity and brilliant execution.

Pooja has choreographed numerous Kathak dance works, including ‘Shikhandini’, ‘Putri Sagara‘, and ‘Buddha Charita’ to name a few.